Accrington Railways - Robert Kenyon

October On Sunday, the 8 th , a diesel excursion was run to Morecambe for the Illuminations. Tickets could be booked in advance as there was limited accommodation on the train which left Accrington at 12:50 and Church & Oswaldtwistle at 12:59. The return fare was 6/6d and the return would depart from Morecambe Promenade Station at 22:25. British Railways in Manchester gave assurances that even though there was to be a change of Accrington’s holiday dates, sufficient trains would cater for the demand. In the past the majority of special trains had connected with excursions operating for Blackburn’s holidays, and concerns had been raised about Accrington ‘going it alone’ as this might have a detrimental effect on the town’s holiday trains. It was possible that many would fall into line with those operating for the benefit of the Rossendale Valley towns, and a spokesman for BR said, “All arrangements would be placed in the hands of their scheduling department. But it might turn out that two or three carriages might be coupled on to other trains in Preston or Manchester, which were operating in conjunction with other towns in the North West”. He also stated that details would be released of the new arrangements at some time in early 1962. On Sunday, the 22 nd , the ramblers had the choice of walks on the excursion leaving Accrington at 09:52 to Tebay via Skipton, and calling at Ingleton, Kirkby Lonsdale, Barbon, Sedburgh and Tebay to where the fare was 11/-. A special excursion was operated on Sunday, the 22 nd , and anyone travelling on the 11:07 from Accrington could alight at Sowerby Bridge for 4/- return, or Brighouse 5/-, Mirfield or Thornhill 6/-, Swinton, Rotherham or Sheffield 11/- and Chesterfield 12/-. Light refreshments were advertised as available on this train. The final trip of the month was another calling at stations to Workington on the 29 th . November The Lake District was proving popular as on Sunday, the 8 th , another excursion was heading north. Departing Accrington at 10:20 and Church & Oswaldtwistle at 10:23, it called at Lancaster 5/9d, Carnforth 6/6d, Grange-over-Sands 8/-, Ulverston 9/6d, Dalton-in-Furness 10/-, Barrow 11/6d, Askham or Kirby-in-Furness 11/9d, Foxfield 12/3d and Millom 12/6d. There were trains to Blackpool every Saturday at 11:10, 12:10, 13:10 and 13:45, from Church at 11:54, 12:47 and 13:47 with a change in Blackburn from the 11:54. Return was on any train the same day. Southport was also catered for on Saturdays with a departure from town at 11:51, Church 11:54 at 5/3, returns again by any train. On Sunday, the 12 th , it was Carnforth via Giggleswick with walks from Bentham and Carnforth. It cost 12/- return, with a change in Todmorden, to witness Stanley’s away game at York on the 18 th . The train to catch was the 09:59 from Accrington, returning from York at 19:09. ( It was a one nil defeat for the Stanley. ) Also on Saturday, the 18 th , there was a railcar trip to Kirkdale for Rovers away game with Everton, departing at 12:40, Church 12:43 returning at 17:30. The fares on this train were 6/9d and 6/6d respectively and seats were strictly limited. Another football excursion operated on the 25 th , leaving at 12:04 to Manchester Victoria returning at 17:50 at 4/- return for Burnley’s away game at Manchester United. The following day there was a repeat visit to Sheffield, departing at 11:02 on which light refreshments were available. December Football excursions dominated the month for apart from the repeat of the Workington excursion on Sunday, the 3 rd . The previous day to see Rovers game with Bolton Wanderers a special had left Accrington at 13:20, Church 13:23, to return from Trinity Street at 17:50 for 4/- and 3/9d respectively. On Saturday, the 9 th , Burnley were away at Chelsea, and there was a choice of trains, either by going on the 22:15, on Friday overnight or at 8 am, with a change in Preston out and return. The return train left Euston at 23:10 for an overnight return. The fare was 40/-, and restaurant facilities were available on these trains. Another ‘Diesel Excursion’ was operated on Sunday, the 10 th , which departed Accrington at 11:01, and this time called at Sowerby Bridge for 4/- return, or Brighouse 5/-, Huddersfield 6/-, Penistone 8/9d, Sheffield, Conisborough or Doncaster for 11/-. Finally, on the 30 th , departing Accrington at 11:20, there was a special to Wadsley Bridge for the Sheffield Wednesday v Burnley game. The fare was 10/- and the return left at 17:15. At the time of closure ACCRINGTON shed still had an allocation of eleven locomotives; they are listed as follows -

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